With great sadness, Labour Youth has today responded to the death of 19-year-old Jihad Al-Ja’Fari, a member of Fatah Youth Palestine, who died in an Israeli raid on the Al-Dheshe refugee camp in Southern Bethlehem last Tuesday.

Speaking in the wake of the tragic incident, Labour Youth’s International Officer Kerri Ryan commented: “Our thoughts at this time are with Jihad’s family and friends. We are now reaffirming our long-standing policy of calling for recognition of the Palestinian state and support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign against Israel.”

Further commenting, candidate for Vice President of the Young European Socialists and Labour Youth member Neil Warner added: “Hearing of our comrade’s death was a real blow to all of us. I strongly believe that now more than ever, the international community and people throughout the world need to call on Israel to end its occupation of Palestine.”

Labour’s Director of Elections for the referendum, Minister Alex White, and prominent Marriage Equality campaigner, Labour TD John Lyons, both took part in the event.

Labour Youth National Chairperson, Jack Eustace, commented: “Labour Youth are extremely proud to be campaigning for a Yes vote in this referendum campaign. If the polls have shown one thing so far, it’s that passage of this vital proposition is far from a guarantee. It’s absolutely essential that all supporters of Marriage Equality get active in spreading the word in our communities, families and our friendship circles to generate support and enthusiasm for polling day.”

Also at the event, Labour Youth Campaigns Officer Jason Deegan commented: “As long-standing supporters of civil marriage equality we in Labour Youth are very eager to do our part to ensure this referendum passes. Equality is the defining issue of our time, and we want to live in an Ireland where the love felt by our LGBTQ citizens is finally treated equally.”

Concluding, Eustace commented: “We have a rare opportunity this summer to send out a beacon of hope for every person who has been led to believe their relationship is somehow less valuable or committed because of who they love. It’s up to all of us to get across the Yes campaign’s message of equality and respect, and land a real win for love and inclusion this May.”

Speaking on the 34th anniversary of the Stardust tragedy, Labour Youth National Chairperson Jack Eustace commented: “As we approach Valentine’s weekend, it’s with great sorrow we remember the awful events of February 14th 1981. Forty-eight young lives were lost in the Stardust nightclub that night, with some 215 injured. For many of the families affected, the heartbreak is still very real.

“We in Labour Youth believe there are still many unanswered questions surrounding the tragedy and support the work of those seeking justice for their loved ones. We urge the Minister for Justice to establish a new inquiry into the Stardust fire in the hopes that the families concerned can finally get the closure they deserve.”